New pay and display parking tariffs to support local businesses

New pay and display parking tariff structures are being introduced to Epping Forest District Council owned car parks.This is to encourage people to shop in our local town centres and to address pressure put on our car parks from all day parking.

The basics

Pay and display tariffs for stays up to 2 hours remain unchanged

1 hour free followed by a £1 all day charge on Sundays and in some car parks Saturdays

Anyone planning to stay more than 5 hours in our long stay car parks will pay £6

A linear system whereby the price rises on an hourly rate above 2 hours is also being introduced

Up to 3 hours will cost £3

Up to 4 hours will cost £4

Up to 5 hours will cost £5

The new long stay parking charges brings the cost of parking closer to the local London Underground station current ticket pricing

Users of the MiPermit scheme will also be affected by the new tariffs

Encouraging shoppers

Councillor Nigel Avey with the portfolio responsible for parking at Epping Forest district council commented “Our pay and display parking tariffs have remained the same since 2015 and Epping Forest remains a low-cost area to park in in comparison with surrounding areas.”

“Many local businesses have expressed concerns that all day commuter parking in our town centre car parks impacts on visitor numbers to our local high streets. By introducing this new tariff structure and keeping short stay tariffs low, we aim to create a greater turnover in our car parks, freeing up more parking spaces therefore encouraging shoppers to visit our high streets.”

Making improvements

“Revenue generated from our pay and display machines is re-invested into maintaining and making improvements to the council car parks. New CCTV and upgrades to LED lighting are already planned as well as improvements to the surrounding environment. A feasibility study into whether it would be appropriate to have electric charge points situated in the car parks is also in the pipeline.”